CHR condemns NPA’s use of children in armed conflict
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned to the highest degree the use of child soldiers by the New People’s Army (NPA) in its armed conflict against the government.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Red groups, allies playing pity card when cornered: Parlade
A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said communist groups and their supporters appeal for pity whenever they get themselves into a tight corner.
Philippine News Agency
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NUPL condemns ‘orchestrated red-tagging’ posters vs groups, lawyers
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) on Sunday denounced posters in Leyte which called the group’s president Edre Olalia and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares as “lapdogs” of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News
Rights group Karapatan documents more red-tagging incidents
Rights group Karapatan has documented more cases of red-tagging, this time, in Quezon City. The group said Sunday that colored posters were put up in Diliman, Quezon City over the weekend accusing it and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) of using foreign funds supposedly to support the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
ABS-CBN News
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Gov’t needs to temper threat reports on Baguio, says mayor
The city government is working out a policy that would make the New Peo-ple’s Army (NPA) unwelcome in the summer capital, as requested by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
PNP mobile forces eyed to help AFP vs. NPA front orgs
The heads of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are looking at aligning the skills of the PNP mobile forces in helping soldiers manage the New People's Army (NPA) front organizations operating in urban areas.
Philippine News Agency
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Repressing teachers, militarizing education will not address poor quality
TEACHERS and education workers have been relentless in the pursuit to counter the declining quality of education by demanding from the government bigger budget allocation, decent salaries, and re-orientation of the curriculum towards the interest of national development.
Panay News
Peace Talks
No arrest for Sison, communist leaders during peace talks
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and other communist leaders who are facing arrest will enjoy temporary liberty upon their return to the Philippines for the possible resumption of peace talks, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE GRP-NDFP PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
I welcome President Duterte’s publicly expressed desire to resume the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and his instruction to Secretary Bello to visit me and consult with me in Utrecht in this regard. I am pleased that President Duterte has also acknowledged that he is “running out of time” and that he is determined to achieve peace before the end of his term.
Joma Sison FB
Incidents/ Operations
Kids, teachers caught in cross fire get psychosocial help
The municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte has conducted psychosocial interventions to parents, teachers and students of the Magwawa Integrated School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte who were caught in a cross fire between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels last Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Army-PNP joint operation recovers arms cache in Aurora
Intensified Army-PNP joint operations spearheaded by the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion in Brgy Punglo, Maria Aurora, Aurora led to the discovery of an arms cache on December 07, 2019.
Kalinaw News
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MARAWI
Covering Marawi
I was home on May 23, 2017, when the Marawi story broke out. I initially thought that state security forces would be able to resolve the standoff between the military and the Islamic State-linked Maute group within a few hours. I was wrong.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Florida Shooting Updates: F.B.I. Presumes It Was Terrorism
Officials said on Sunday that federal investigators were working on the presumption that the attack in Pensacola on Friday was an act of terrorism. Sailors from Alabama, Florida and Georgia were killed, and eight others were injured.
The New York Times
Chinese state media ‘terrorism’ documentaries seek to justify Xinjiang crackdown after US vote on human rights bill
Chinese state media has sought to justify the country’s crackdown in Xinjiang with the release of two new documentaries on terrorism in the far western region.
South China Morning Post
London Bridge Knifing Attack – Does Europe Learn?
The threat of a renewed major wave of jihadist terrorism in Europe depends on the way we seize the opportunity offered by the decline of ISIS’s self-declared caliphate. Europe has to decide on common coordinated strategies how to challenge the threats: the policy for the returning Foreign Fighters; the fate of women and children in camps and prisons in Syria and Iraq; radicalization in prisons, including the policies of punishment and liberation of prisoners.
International Institute for Counter-Terrorism
U.S. bill on Xinjiang draws condemnation from various countries
Foreign countries and experts have joined forces to condemn the passage of the so-called "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019" by the U.S. House of Representatives despite China's strong opposition.
Xinhua
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BARMM
Ex-ARMM workers to get paid
The Bangsamoro Government will soon compensate its employees who were first to be separated from service in October. Breaking the good news Friday morning, Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the national government has already released about P500 million in gratuity funds to compensate the employees of the defunct ARMM, much to their delight.
Manila Standard
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
PNP hunting down 80 Maguindanao massacre suspects
With two weeks before a Quezon City court hands down its verdict on the Maguindanao massacre, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified efforts against at least 80 suspects who remain at large.
Philippine Star
"Black Monday": Magelco forces clients to pay monthly bills by shutting power
The Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (Magelco) will resort to drastic move in a bid to let its member-consumers into paying monthly electric bills for the cooperative to free from the bondage of debt.
NDBC News
IPHO chief: Maguindanao armed hostilities, displacement did not stop anti-polio vaccination
Even an armed conflict have not stopped health providers in Maguindanao to conduct massive anti-polio vaccination, a health official said. This amid reports that two of seven confirmed polio cases in the country were from the province.
NDBC News
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
Isabela City's anti-illegal drugs thrust gets boost from DDB
The local government unit of Isabela City received P5 million from the Dangerous Drugs Board for a rehabilitation facility for abusers to hasten the resolution of domestic narcotics issues.
NDBC News
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Palace: Even if ICC issues warrant for Duterte, who will enforce it?
Malacañang on Sunday disputed claims that President Rodrigo Duterte could be arrested after the office of the International Criminal Court prosecutor finishes its preliminary examination into deaths alleged tied to his "war" on illegal drugs.
Philippine Star, Rappler
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Eleazar wants SAF to go after drug lords
To further intensify the government's crackdown on illegal drugs, the Special Action Force (SAF) should be included in the anti-drug campaign, especially against high-value targets or big-time drug lords, a ranking official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Philippine News Agency
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VP’s findings on drug war won’t discredit anyone – spox
The findings of Vice President Leni Robredo when she was co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) will not discredit anyone but will focus on her recommendations for the anti-drug drive, according to her spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Operations/ Incidents
2 suspected drug pushers fall, yield firearm in Quezon
A gun-wielding suspected drug pusher and his companion were arrested in a police operation in Sariaya town in Quezon province on Saturday night, police said Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Former overseas worker falls in Quezon drug sting
Police arrested a former overseas worker when she was caught allegedly selling “shabu” (crystal meth) in a buy-bust operation in Tayabas City on Saturday night, police said Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Business and Human Rights
This week sees Human Rights Day, celebrated globally every 10th December to mark the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 61 years ago. The contribution of former Filipino general-turned-diplomat, Carlos P. Romulo, in drafting and negotiating that historic document remains well known at a time when human rights face severe challenges in the Philippines and around the world.
Business World Online
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
The Philippines is the leading Asian country in closing the gender gap. The country has a comprehensive gender policy framework and is a signatory of key international policies, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw), the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Business Mirror
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
EDITORIAL - Lift it
With President Duterte himself denigrating martial law and his defense chief recommending its lifting, it looks like there will be no further extension of martial law all over Mindanao in the coming year. It’s high time.
Philippine Star
Martial law in Mindanao up to President - Pacquiao
Boxing icon Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao said on Saturday with the wisdom given by God to President Duterte in managing the affairs of the Philippine government, the people should respect his decision whether or not to extend martial law in Mindanao.
Manila Bulletin
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Filipinos urged to work in solidarity to build progressive nation
To build a more progressive nation, President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged the Filipino Catholic community to “work in solidarity” on the Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
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PRRD will work during holidays
President Rodrigo Duterte will remain “devoted” to his job as the highest official in the land even as workers in the public and private sector look forward to the upcoming Christmas break.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin
Duterte never harassed critics, it’s the other way around
Despite being harassed by his critics and detractors, President Rodrigo Duterte has never done the same to them, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Duterte gov’t not engaged in fake news – Panelo
The Duterte government is not engaged in the proliferation of fake news and has actually called for truth and fairness in reporting issues, a Palace official said Sunday.
Manila Bulletin
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Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo reminds youth that choices they make will define them later in life
While exhorting the youth to become a good leader, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo reminded them they are “defined by the choices” they make.
Manila Bulletin
VP spox hails PH joining PISA despite low rank in reading
It was still a good decision for the Philippines to participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) despite its students’ getting the lower ranking in reading comprehension compared to shoe in 79 other countries, Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo, said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ELECTION RELATED
Voter registration for May 2022 polls resumes on January
Those planning to register for the May 2022 polls may do so starting next year. This, as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is eyeing to resume the registration of voters in January.
Manila Bulletin
DISASTER
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
House panel votes on Cha-cha on Wednesday
The committee on constitutional amendments of the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on several Charter change (Cha-cha) proposals on Wednesday. Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, committee chairman, is convening his panel after its public consultations in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao on proposed amendments to the Constitution were concluded.
Philippine Star
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Bicam panel to ensure P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget will be signed by Duterte before Dec. 21
The bicameral conference panel is flexing its muscles to ensure that the next year’s proposed P4.1-trillion national budget will be signed by President Duterte before December 21.
Manila Bulletin
Senate of the Philippines
Gatchalian backs probe, prosecution of those who connived in lopsided water contracts
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he supports a possible investigation and prosecution of individuals who agreed to the lopsided concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad.
Manila Bulletin
Go says Duterte was right in blocking P10-billion compensation to water firms
Administration ally Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed his belief that President Duterte’s move to oppose the arbitration rulings that ordered the government to pay billions of pesos in damages to water concessionaires was a timely and appropriate action to stop the abusive practices of water firms.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
ABS-CBN franchise renewal up to Congress
The renewal of local broadcast network ABS-CBN Corporation’s 25-year congressional franchise would still be up to Congress, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Support for ban on single-use plastics gains ground in House
Efforts to prohibit the production, importation, sale, provision and use of single-use plastics have gained ground in the House of Representatives after two more House leaders, including Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, also sought a nationwide single-use plastic ban.
Manila Bulletin
House leader makes case for motorcycle taxi legalization
A representative reckoned Sunday that there’s an urgent reason for local transport authorities to legalize motorcycles-for-hire as public utility vehicles (PUV) and establish safety protocols for their patrons.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DILG extols Manila gov’t for getting tough on ‘Panday Sining’
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged other localities to emulate the city of Manila for instilling law and order after an ordinance was passed to declare the group Panday Sining persona non grata for vandalism.
Manila Bulletin
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Credible military capabilities
On the Saturday nearest May 30, Spain celebrates its Armed Forces Day with much pageantry. This year, it was celebrated in the southern city of Seville with no less than King Philip IV and Queen Letizia headlining the ceremonials.
Business World Online
Philippine National Police
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Build, Build, Build? Evict, Evict, Evict!
Media extoll the completed or on-stream Build, Build, Build (BBB) construction of expressways, overpasses, bridges, airports, railways, school buildings, evacuation centers and flood control projects.
Rappler
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Japan loan worth P2 billion expected soon for bridge upgrades
A P2-billion loan from Japan is set to be signed “in the coming months” to fund earthquake resilience improvements for key bridges in Metro Manila, the Department of Finance said. In a statement Saturday, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told Hiroto Izumi, head of a Japanese delegation at a meeting held near Tokyo, that the Philippines and Japan are “ready to sign the 4.409 billion yen supplemental loan agreement for the Metro Manila Priority Seismic Bridge Improvement Project in the coming months.”
Business World Online
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan clears 3 ex-DOF officials
The Sandiganbayan Second Division has acquitted three former Department of Finance (DOF) officials of their graft and falsification charges in relation to the reportedly irregular issuance of a Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) to Triffman Liner back in 1996.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
52% of Pinoys say PH can have good ties with both US, China: SWS
Fifty-two percent of Filipinos believe the Philippines can have good relations with both the United States and China, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found in its September 27-30 poll.
Philippine News Agency
Asean makes recommendations at UN body meeting
Sharing common positions on key agendas on biodiversity, representatives of the Asean member-states participated and put forward recommendations for the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the 23rd meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-23) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Business Mirror
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
DOLE to limit deployment of petrochemists overseas
Due to their reported shortage for employment in the local energy sector, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is eyeing to limit the deployment of petro chemists overseas. “We want to limit the deployment outside the country of workers under the energy sector, specifically petro chemists,” DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said in an interview.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
SMC seeks MRT-3 extension to Bocaue, Bulacan
Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is seeking to extend its ongoing P63-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project farther to Bocaue, Bulacan.
Philippine Star
Manila-Cavite ‘water jeepneys’ launched today
“Water jeepneys,” which would cut travel time from Manila to Cavite from four hours by land to 15 minutes by water, will start operating today. The two shipping companies fielding ferries for the route – Seaborne Shipping Co. Inc. and Shogun Ships Co. Inc. – will offer free rides from today until Jan. 9, 2020, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement posted on the websites of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority.
Philippine Star
HEALTH
Defensor wonders if Wolbachia can work vs. dengue in PH
Why not test the efficacy of the Wolbachia bacteria too in the local right against dengue fever?
Manila Bulletin
Social media posts may have effect on one’s mind – DOH official
Social media does not depict real life and that family members must always support each other. This was the message of Department of Health (DOH) – National Mental Health Program (NMHP) head Frances Prescilla Cuevas in a recent media forum.
Manila Bulletin
E-cigs not meant to halt smoking habit – PECIA
Electric cigarettes or e-cigarettes aren’t devices designed to help people quit smoking as far as the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) is concerned.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DBP opens soft loan program for irrigation, water supply projects
Government-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has opened a soft loan window for local government units (LGUs) as well as cooperatives in Mindanao for water supply systems and irrigation projects.
Business World Online
EDUCATION
Storm clouds
The questions required analytical answers rather than mere factual information. Also, the test was administered in English, the official medium of instruction in the Philippines from third grade up unlike in countries such as China and Thailand where the native tongue is the medium of instruction.
Philippine Star
ENERGY
PSALM brings down liabilities to P416B as of end-October ’19
THE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has trimmed down its financial liabilities by P33.2 billion this year, bringing its outstanding balance to P416 billion as of end-October this year.
Business Mirror
PSALM to study privatization options for hydro plants
State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is targeting to complete the study on the privatization options for the hydropower plants under Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts next year.
Philippine Star
Solon asks ERC to penalize PECO for lapses in distribution system
A lawmaker has appealed to the Energy Regulatory Commission to impose penalties on Panay Electric Company (PECO) for its operational lapses on distribution assets which “posed danger to Iloilo residents’ lives.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
Leisure Resorts abandons plan to build $550-m Boracay casino
Leisure Resorts & World Corp. will no longer pursue a plan to build a $550-million world-class integrated resort and casino in Boracay Island in partnership with Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.
Manila Standard
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR appeals for concerted efforts to solve garbage crisis
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) appealed for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to effectively solve the garbage crisis, particularly in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Drones as plowshares, not swords
Filipinos are so prone to natural and human-made disasters. This is on top of living in a territory as fragmented as a 7,641-island archipelago, and a nation with almost 200 ethnolinguistic groupings.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
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